Hexx - No Escape

Band: Hexx

Album: No Escape

Year Released: 1984

Country: US/California

Style: Power/Thrash Metal

Size: 38 MB

Tracklist:

1. Terror

2. Invader

3. The Other Side

4. Look to the Sky

5. Beware the Darkness

6. Night of Pain

7. No Escape

8. Live for the Night

9. Fear No Evil

Hexx had a split personality, the first half of their career being traditional U.S. heavy/power metal, the other semi-technical death/thrash. Their heavier era is my favorite, simply because they weren't a great true metal band. But they had their moments...

And their moment, their big shining moment of metal glory, comes with 'No Escape' leadoff track, "Terror". The ominous beginning breaks into a mid-paced, Priest-like riff, melodic and ferocious at the same time. The chorus riffing lifts the song even higher. Excellent. Vocalist Manzo's vocals are wailing and mournful, hitting all the right notes, conveying a sense of dread and power. An absolutely memorable track, both chilling and uplifting. A lost classic if there ever was one. 

The guitar sound is odd. Mostly thin and covered up by the bass/drums, which is probably inept recording than anything else. Dan Watson's leads, however, come out striking to kill. He's aggressive and melodic at once, and it's not surprising how far out they are in the mix, considering this is a Shrapnel release. Manzo performs well throughout the rest of the album, but never quite finds the perfect combination of notes that he does on "Terror". He's shrill, a little thin, but also panicked and banshee-like. Would've been interesting to hear him stick around for the 'Under The Spell' album.

The only song that comes even half-close to "Terror" is final track, "Fear No Evil", which is brooding and slow, a misty, doom-laced piece of work. "Look To The Sky" and "Beware The Darkness" are also quite good, but fail to get the neckhairs standing on end the way the great opener does.

'No Escape' should appeal to fans of Helstar, early Lizzy Borden, Slauter Xstroyes, Warlord, and similarly dark U.S. heavy metal from the '80s. Find a copy of the album and hear a flawed but interesting offering. Find a copy of the song "Terror", and know greatness.